After chasing Yuan Huiniang away, Yan Qingqing picked up her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and began to paint. Time was tight and the task was heavy, so she had to make the most of her time.
This sudden plan really caught Yan Qingqing off guard. It wasn't just about turning the apricot grove into a sea of flowers; the areas for paving pebbles, building pavilions, and setting up recreational areas all needed to be replanned.
That's not enough; this will probably be another significant investment. We still have over a thousand taels of silver left from the last workshop construction, and with the deposit we received this time, it seems we'll have to pour it all in.
Yan Qingqing now feels that she can't keep up with the speed at which she spends money. It was very late when she came up with an ideal plan. She was probably too tired after the day, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
The next day when she woke up, she heard that Li Xiangping had gone back with Old Man Zhang to transplant the roses and peonies.
Yan Qingqing stretched ungracefully, smiled, and remained silent. These things would all be money in the future.
Just as Yan Qingqing was having breakfast, Li Sanniu and his wife walked in hand in hand. Yan Qingqing was a little surprised that Xu Shi hadn't gone to the embroidery shop today.
Yan Qingqing looked up at the two of them and said, "Have you eaten yet? Why don't you come and have something to eat with us?"
Xu quickly let go of Li Sanniu's hand and replied with a smile, "Second sister-in-law, we've already eaten. Please eat."
Yan Qingqing didn't stand on ceremony with them and started eating on her own. While eating, she asked, "Why did you two have time to come over together? Don't show off your love in front of a widow like me, my heart can't take it."
Xu felt a little embarrassed after hearing Yan Qingqing's words, and then glared at Li Sanniu. Li Sanniu didn't know what had gotten into him, but he insisted on holding her hand, saying that this would prove that the two of them had a good relationship, so as to prevent some people from having inappropriate thoughts.
Li San Niu glanced at Xu Shi with a grin, and for some reason, Xu Shi blushed.
Upon seeing this, Yan Qingqing slammed her chopsticks on the table and said, "Why bother with breakfast? I'm already stuffed with dog food."
He then ordered his men to remove the items.
Although Li Sanniu and Xu Shi didn't know what "dog food" meant, they figured it must be referring to them.
So he quickly sat up straight, afraid of upsetting Yan Qingqing.
Seeing that the two of them looked like elementary school students who had made a mistake, Yan Qingqing couldn't help but sneer: "Tell me, what do you two want from me? You're not just here to show off your love in front of me, are you?"
Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Xu quickly replied, "No, Second Sister-in-law, we just wanted to ask you for some advice."
Yan Qingqing glanced at her, signaling her to continue. Xu continued, "We have some spare money now, and we were thinking of renovating the house first. But San Niu and I have been discussing it for a long time and still can't make up our minds, so we came to ask Second Sister-in-law's opinion."
Yan Qingqing glanced at Li Sanniu and sneered, "Why is Third Brother in such a hurry to build a house? Is he planning to take a second wife?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu immediately looked at Li San Niu. Had he grown too big for his britches? Or did he dare to think of taking a concubine just because he had a few stinking coins?
After hearing Yan Qingqing's words and seeing Xu Shi's gloomy face, Li Sanniu quickly stood up in fright and said, "Second Sister-in-law, you can't talk nonsense. Even if you gave me ten thousand lives, I wouldn't dare."
Yan Qingqing said with an "Oh," and then added, "So you have the desire but not the courage."
Xu's face, which had just begun to improve, quickly darkened again. She then reached out and twisted Li Sanniu's ear. Yan Qingqing watched the show with amusement. "Damn it," she thought, "let's see you show off your love in front of me. Don't you know a widow can't handle that kind of stimulation?"
After Yan Qingqing had watched the show to her heart's content, she coughed and said, "Alright, they say that beating is a sign of affection and scolding is a sign of love. If you two have nothing else to do, go home and fight."
Li Sanniu covered his bright red ears and said, "Second Sister-in-law, please let me go. I have neither the heart nor the guts to do this."
Yan Qingqing snorted and said, "Oh, I heard that your mother introduced you to a virgin a few days ago, saying that she has a good figure, can bear children, and can carry on the Li family line."
And I also heard that the girl didn't even want a betrothal gift; she voluntarily wanted to be with you.
Xu Shi, who was in the embroidery workshop every day, had no idea about this. She was so angry that her eyes turned red. The thing she cared about most in her life was that she had only given birth to Xiang Bao and that it had damaged her health. When they were poor, it was okay. When they couldn't even afford to eat, no one had any other thoughts. But now that life had finally improved, Old Madam Li was actually arranging for Li San Niu to take a concubine.
Xu knew that Yan Qingqing couldn't lie; since she brought it up today, there must be something to it.
When Li Sanniu saw that Xu Shi was angry, he quickly explained, "Listen to me, that's all just wishful thinking on Mother's part. She's just trying to make things difficult for us because she sees that we're doing well."
I have already clearly rejected her. We only have Xiangbao, that's enough. Didn't my second sister-in-law say that it's not about having many children but about having the best ones? One good child is worth more than several.
I heard that Xiang Bao is doing quite well at the shop now. He's top-notch at accounting and customer service, much better than those two good-for-nothings, Xiang Jin and Xiang Yin.”
After hearing Li Sanniu's words, Xu gradually calmed down and said awkwardly to Yan Qingqing, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Second Sister-in-law."
Yan Qingqing shrugged and replied, "I'm glad you don't blame me for bringing this up. Even if you do, I still have to say it. Third Brother, I don't want you to lose yourself just because someone calls you Third Master."
Today I'll be frank. The old lady has come to me many times trying to get something for her, but I'm completely unyielding, so she's set her sights on you.
You know your mother's character better than anyone. He's doing this because he wants your 10% share in the food processing plant. I hope you'll always be vigilant and not fall into anyone's trap. I don't want our hard-earned business to be ruined by such despicable tricks.
In fact, Li San Niu was well aware of Old Madam Li's thoughts, but he always thought she was his own mother and that no matter what, she would never harm him. However, now that Yan Qingqing had ruthlessly exposed his true intentions, he felt as if he had been enlightened. Yes, if it weren't for his second sister-in-law's favor and the shares in the workshop, how could his mother have taken him seriously?
Thinking of this, Li San Niu secretly made up his mind that if Old Madam Li came to cause trouble again, she shouldn't blame him for being an unfilial son.
Now that things were out in the open, Yan Qingqing felt relieved. What she feared most was that Li Sanniu would fall into Old Madam Li's trap. Now that she was on guard, if he were still tricked, he would truly deserve it.
Seeing that they had both thought it through, Yan Qingqing pretended to cough and said, "I don't agree with you building houses now."
Li Sanniu and Xu asked in unison, "Why?"
Yan Qingqing silently took out the completed drawing from her sleeve and handed it to Li Sanniu.
When Li Sanniu and Xu Shi finally left Yan Qingqing's house, they both sighed deeply. He had time to make money but no time to spend it.
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